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Voice for Equality: Audra McDonald

Audra McDonald is a four-time Tony Award-winning and two-time Grammy Award-winning actress and singer. She currently stars in the ABC television drama Private Practice as Dr. Naomi Bennett. McDonald became a three-time Tony Award winner by the age of 28 — for her performances in Carousel, Master Class, and Ragtime — placing her alongside Shirley Booth, Gwen Verdon and Zero Mostel by accomplishing this feat within five years. She was nominated for another Tony Award for her performance in Marie Christine before she won her fourth in 2004 for her role in A Raisin in the Sun, placing her in the company of other four-time winning actresses Gwen Verdon and Mary Martin. She reprised her Raisin role for a 2008 television adaptation, earning her a second Emmy Award nomination (her first Emmy nomination was for Wit, starring Emma Thompson, in 2001). Learn more here.

Audra McDonald spoke out and sang at Broadway Impact's Action = Marriage Equality Rally on May 17, 2009 in New York City. She told the story of her two gay godfathers, together for 35 years, whose life together served as her guide for what a successful relationship and parenthood should be. She said it was absolutely wrong that they should not be able to get married in the state of New York. [Link]

Broadway Impact is a community of actors, directors, stage managers, fans, producers — "pretty much anyone who has ever seen, been in or worked on a Broadway show" — united by the simple belief that anyone who wants to should be able to get married. It is a place for "anyone and everyone out there who loves theatre, is passionate about equality, and wants to know how to sing out and make their voice heard." [Link]

Freedom to Marry salutes Audra McDonald as a Voice for Equality! Learn about other Voices for Equality here.